Politics
Statement on the Proposed State Budget
Statement on the Proposed State Budget
By Pete Flesch
Crawford County Board Chair
Despite the promised removal of language gutting Wisconsin's open records law, this proposed budget is still a disaster that deserves to be rejected. Here are some of the reasons why:
Transportation Funding: A path to nowhere
This budget does nothing to address sustainability of the transportation fund, where revenues continue to decline. Instead it puts half a billion dollars on the state's credit card and delays needed maintenance and repair. How far do you suppose that $5 of ...
GOVERNOR’S VETOES REMOVE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
GOVERNOR’S VETOES REMOVE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
by Wisconsin State Senator Kathleen Vinehout
“I object to the infringement on gubernatorial power and duties,” wrote Governor Walker in his veto message. By his budget vetoes he made it clear he did not want legislative oversight.
The governor removed at least 15 portions of state law passed by the legislature that provided legislative authority or provided oversight of the executive branch.
Remember your 4th grade civics class lessons about the delicate balance of powers between the three branches of government ...
Progressive Media Summit
Progressive Media Summit
By Rev. John Stanley, Wisconsin Grassroots Network
You are invited to the Progressive Media Summit on Saturday, August 8. The place is 2220 Division Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The time is 2 – 5 p.m.
This summit is aimed at creating a network of progressive media groups from around the state, forming a Media Association. Our goal is to develop a network to compete with the far-right monopolized media.
Here is the Agenda:
2 p m. Introduction/Welcome: Rev. John Stanley (For WGN)
SPEAKERS:
2:10 – 2:25 Social Media Chris ...
Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: “Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools”
Save the Date:
Education, Inc. Documentary:
"Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools"
Friday Aug. 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
AND
Tues. Aug. 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Marathon County Public Library
300 N. 1st Street
Wausau, WI 54403
3rd Floor Mtg. Rm (use elevator)
Please be aware of the 2-hour parking limit in the Library's main lot, we ask that you utilize the nearby parking ramps instead.
This documentary explores the hidden corporate and political interests attempting to take over American public education across ...
Protect Wisconsin’s Civil Service System
By Phil Anderson and Joyce Luedke
Wisconsin’s merit Civil Service System is a model to the nation and the major safeguard against corruption in government. Several proposals in the 2015-2017 state budget threaten to weaken the Civil Service System in Wisconsin. The goal of these proposals is to consolidate power under the governor by increasing political control of the hiring process of all public employees.
Civil service laws provide for non-political hiring of public employees based on competitive examinations and objective experience ratings. The purpose is to ...
CELEBRATE FREEDOM ON JULY4TH WEEKEND…
CELEBRATE FREEDOM ON JULY4TH WEEKEND…
By Middle Wisconsin Editorial Staff
On this July4th weekend, celebrate freedom. There are different versions of “freedom” in our society, but here is our version:
“If you get cancer or break a leg and do not have health insurance, you are not free.
If you can’t get a decent education, you are not free.
If you are a woman and do not control your body, you are not free.
If you cannot marry someone you love, you are not free.
If your work largely benefits only the wealthiest of the wealthy and not you, you ...
ON THE BOOKSHELF – THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
ON THE BOOKSHELF
By Virginia Kirsch
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEM
(How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education) by Diane Ravitch
This book is a must-read for all of you concerned with public education. In Ravitch’s recent blog, she reiterated that the aim of legislators across the nation is to privatize public education. To prepare for the fight to protect our public schools, you will want to read this book.
Ravitch is the Research Professor of Education at New York University. From 1991 to 1993 she was Assistant Secretary of ...
Rep. Melissa Sargent: GOP leaves no room for bipartisan cooperation
Rep. Melissa Sargent: GOP leaves no room for bipartisan cooperation
June 23, 2015 4:30 am REP. MELISSA SARGENT | Democratic member, Wisconsin Assembly
Two weeks ago I happened to read an opinion column written by Rep. Scott Allen that was published in the Cap Times. While I don’t usually make a habit of responding to columns like his, I couldn’t help but note the irony of him accusing Democrats of “partisan posturing” and creating “an environment of extreme rhetoric,” only to paradoxically stress the importance of bipartisanship and cooperation mere ...
Honk For Public Education
HONK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
By Middle Wisconsin Editorial Staff
Motorists are honking their horn for public education for all, thanks to rallies by concerned people all over Wisconsin.
Throughout Wisconsin, many people are organizing and advocating for public education. Local groups are standing on sidewalks and holding signs to let people know what is going on in the state budget and the local schools. They are helping to educate the public on the needs of our public schools.
In Wauwatosa SOS (Save Our Schools) has requested open records of their elected officials to ...
Taxes are Good
This is a second article promoting website and book “Government is Good, An Unapologetic Defense of a Vital Institution.”
Taxes are perhaps the most effective “wedge” issue used by conservatives to keep people voting against their own best interests. On his website Douglas J. Amy, Professor of Politics, Mount Holyoke College does a terrific job countering the conservative obsession with taxes and tax cuts with hard facts and good reasoning.
“Most conservative criticisms about the ill-effects of taxes are exaggerated or untrue. Taxes are in fact good – they ...
